News, notes and reader questions about the San Francisco 49ers

May 1, 2013

That is essentially what occurred in the 49ers' personnel department after Tom Gamble left for the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this year. Joel Patten, previously the director of college scouting, now officially is in Gamble's former spot, director of player personnel, the team announced today. The only man above him in the personnel department is general manager Trent Baalke.

Meanwhile, Matt Malaspina is the new director of college scouting and Mike Williams becomes director of pro personnel. The team also promoted former regional scout Justin Chabot to national scout, Steve Rubio to regional scout and Josh Williams to pro personnel scout. Chabot was one of the scouts who evaluated first-round draft choice Eric Reid this year.

Patten is in his fourth year with the 49ers. In his previous position, he managed the college scouting staff and the daily operations of the department. He joined the 49ers with 14 years of NFL scouting experience and more than a decade of playing experience.

A graduate of Duke, Patten played eight seasons in the NFL and three in USFL as an offensive tackle. Having originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns in 1980, he played in 56 career games for the Browns (1980-82), Colts (1987-88), Chargers (1989-90) and Los Angeles Raiders (1991-92). He also played for the Washington Federals (1983-84) and the Orlando Renegades (1985) of the USFL.

MATTHEW BARROWS

Matt was born in Blacksburg, Va., and attended the University of Virginia. He graduated in 1995, went to Northwestern for a journalism degree a year later, and got his first job at a South Carolina daily in 1997. He joined The Bee as a Metro reporter in 1999 and started covering the 49ers in 2003. His favorite player of all time is Darrell Green.